With Hollywood names such as Hugh Jackman, Liam Neeson, David Oyelowo, Ray Winstone, Cedric the Entertainer and Lenny Kravitz cast in his latest flick, one would think that Lee Daniels, who was recently nominated for an Oscar for best director for 'Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire,' would have no problem securing financing for his next film, 'Selma,' right?

Guess again.

Since working on the project, which began in 2009, Daniels has been unable to secure enough financial backers. 'Selma' is a story about Martin Luther King, Lyndon Johnson and the marches that led to civil rights reform.

According to Deadline.com, Daniels is now concentrating on rewriting and directing 'The Butler,' which is based on the life on Eugene Allen (pictured left), an African American servant in the White House for more than 34 years. Allen watched the eight presidents he worked for wrestle with and finally stem the tide of segregation.

Apparently, because of the lack of funding, not all deals with the actors mentioned for 'Selma' were finalized. Filming was supposed to commence earlier this year, but Cedric The Entertainer, who was also supposed to appear in the film, said earlier this month that the film had been pushed back to a later date.

"It got moved to the fall because the producers in New Orleans were a little concerned about hurricane season and didn't want to go down there this summer and have a great loss," he told Black Voices. "They'd rather wait 'til after hurricane season and go in October. Anything can happen when you put a movie on hold like that, but I'm optimistic about it and looking forward to doing it. I talked to Lee the other day and he's still excited. Of course, other projects come in and some stars fall out, but I'm making this a priority, I'm looking forward to playing this role."

Deadline stated that Jackman even gained 30 pounds to play Jim Clark, a sheriff who arrested Dr. King. But the financing never solidified, and Jackman had to then lose the weight to star in 'Real Steel,' which also stars Anthony Mackie and Phil LaMarr.

All is not dead yet for 'Selma' as the Weinstein Co. is looking to invest close to $8 million in the project for domestic distribution, with the foreign film company Pathe matching that amount and taking global rights. The production still needs a third party to put up the remaining funds. The Weinsteins have been looking to work with Daniels since they battled with Lionsgate to distribute 'Precious,' after they saw it at last year's Sundance Film Festival.

Produced by Laura Ziskin, Sony Pictures will distribute 'The Bulter,' which is based on a series of articles written on Allen by Sammy Davis Jr. biographer Wil Haygood.

Allen died this past April of kidney failure at a Washington D.C.–area hospital at 90.

Daniels needs a big name to make any film happen, and he's already approached two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington for the role.

Though the 'Monster's Ball' producer has worked with a string of Oscar winners, such as Halle Berry, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Helen Mirren, there is no official word on whether Washington has accepted the offer.